proverb

6 definitions found

proverb - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Proverb \Prov"erb\, v. t.
     1. To name in, or as, a proverb. [R.]
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              Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool ? --Milton.
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     2. To provide with a proverb. [R.]
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              I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase. --Shak.
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  Proverb \Prov"erb\, v. i.
     To write or utter proverbs. [R.]
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  Proverb \Prov"erb\, n. [OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L.
     proverbium; pro before, for + verbum a word. See Verb.]
     1. An old and common saying; a phrase which is often
        repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and
        forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of
        experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage.
        --Chaucer. Bacon.
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     2. A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an
        enigma; a parable.
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              His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou
              plainly, and speakest no proverb.     --John xvi.
                                                    29.
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     3. A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous
        reference.
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              Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a
              by word, among all nations.           --Deut.
                                                    xxviii. 37.
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     4. A drama exemplifying a proverb.
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     Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament,
        containing a great variety of wise maxims.
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     Syn: Maxim; aphorism; apothegm; adage; saw.
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proverb - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  proverb
      n 1: a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important
           fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
           [syn: proverb, adage, saw, byword]

proverb - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  Proverb
  a trite maxim; a similitude; a parable. The Hebrew word thus
  rendered (mashal) has a wide signification. It comes from a root
  meaning "to be like," "parable." Rendered "proverb" in Isa.
  14:4; Hab. 2:6; "dark saying" in Ps. 49:4, Num. 12:8. Ahab's
  defiant words in answer to the insolent demands of Benhadad,
  "Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he
  that putteth it off," is a well known instance of a proverbial
  saying (1 Kings 20:11).

proverb - Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :

  52 Moby Thesaurus words for "proverb":
     adage, ana, analects, aphorism, apophthegm, apothegm, axiom,
     bromide, byword, catchword, cliche, coin a phrase,
     collected sayings, commonplace, current saying, dictate, dictum,
     distich, epigram, expression, gnome, golden saying, homily, maxim,
     moral, mot, motto, oracle, phrase, pithy saying, platitude,
     precept, prescript, proverbial saying, proverbs, saw, saying,
     sentence, sententious expression, sloka, stock saying, sutra,
     teaching, text, truism, verse, wisdom, wisdom literature,
     wise saying, witticism, word, words of wisdom